Cuttack: In view of reports of rampant theft of cell phones and vanity bags during last year’s Bali Yatra, the Commissionerate police here have come up with strong security measures to curb such menace during this year’s festival beginning Saturday.
Sources said 11 cases of cell phone and vanity bag thefts were reported at Cantonment police station last year. During inquiry, the police had found involvement of nomads (Banjaras) in the incidents.
The Commissionerate police held a meeting with the officials of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) at the office of the deputy commissioner of police (DCP) here Thursday and vividly discussed the measures to be taken to curb the menace.
According to the sources, the nomadic people arrive in large numbers in the city by train and stay near the Bali Yatra ground. During the rush hours of the fair, they snatch valuables from people. One man brings at least 30 to 40 women with him to execute the thefts. They also engage children in the crimes.
The Commissionerate police have asked the RPF and GRP officials to interrogate the nomadic people soon after they get down from trains. Besides, the railway officials were asked to keep the address details and cell phone numbers of the nomads. If the RPF and GRP find anything suspicious about the nomads, they will send them back to their native places, sources said.
“This year we will examine the nomadic people at the railway station if we find anything suspicious about them,” said DCP Akhilesvar Singh.
Singh further said, “The CCTV cameras installed during last year’s Bali Yatra had captured the footage of women and children stealing valuables from people. We had arrested 26 women and 22 male in connection with the thefts.”
“We are trying to make this year’s Bali Yatra peaceful and theft-free. Installation of CCTV cameras has been completed in Upper Ground and in some places of Lower Ground. The remaining installation work will be completed before the commencement of the festival,” Singh said.
“About 30 CCTV cameras will keep a vigil on the grounds during the festival. Besides, policewomen in mufti will be deployed in sensitive places for safety of woman revellers at the fair,” Singh added.
60 platoons of police for Bali Yatra
The Commissionerate police have tightened the security measures during the festival and decided to deploy 60 platoons of police. Police forces will be deployed in all ghats during Boita Bandana Utsav, sources said.
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